Today with Seán O'Rourke

Budget 2014: Medical Cards

One of the most contentious issues from Budget 2014 has been the decision to cut €113 million from the Medical Card Budget. Minister James Reilly has tried to reassure card holders that those who are entitled to their medical card will not lose it and have nothing to worry about. But, for those with “discretionary” medical cards where their income is over the cut off point but who were given the cards on grounds of undue hardship these are worrying times. And a small number of people in the over 70s age group are likely to be moved to a GP only card under changes to income thresholds announced on Tuesday.

Joining Sean were Labour Senator John Kelly and Dr Andy Jordan Chairman of the National Association of GPs.

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The Irish Beef Book

He’s been immersed in the world of meat since he was a child, Pat Whelan, a fifth generation butcher is an expert in his craft. He was with Sean to tell us about ‘The Irish Beef Book’, a celebration of the best things about Irish food and what makes our beef a world class product.

Elaine O’Hara Murder Case

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Greek Debt

There is a famous photograph that shows German soldiers raising the swastika flag over the Acropolis in Greece in 1941. Years of suffering followed the German invasion and the Greek economy was plundered . Now some Greeks and their politicians , desperate for hope in a country swamped by debt are claiming that Germany owes billions in war reparations.

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Dun Laoighre BIDS Project

The recession has hit hard in the seaside town of Dun Laoghaire. Dozens of shops and offices have closed in the last five years but now the business people plan to fight back by designating the town a business improvement district. Next month the 800 businesses in Dun Laoghaire will vote on whether or not to become the first town in Ireland to introduce the scheme.

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Gathering

There were winners and losers in this week's budget , the main winners were children under 5 and the losers were young job seekers and older people....The United States Congress approves deal which will lift the debt ceiling to January….

Meanwhile, John Gilligan comes out of jail and attracts a media scrum.

And the case of Maddie McCann – will Police in the UK ever solve the crime?

To Take a look back at the stories of the week Sean was joined by our own George Lee; Mary Murphy, Lecturer in Irish Politics and Society, NUI Maynooth; Jill Kerby, Personal Finance Columnist, Sunday Times and Michael O’Regan, Parliamentary Correspondent, Irish Times.

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